HESI A2
HESI A2 Version 1 Reading Comprehension Questions
Extract:
Linking San Francisco to Marin County in California, the Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most famous bridges in the world. The bridge crosses over a narrow strait which connects the Pacific Ocean to San Francisco Bay. Prior to the bridge, people traveled by ferry boat across the strait.
Although most people thought a bridge was necessary to expedite travel, some residents of the
bay area felt the risk of building the bridge was too great. Joseph Strauss believed that nothing was impossible, and dreams would never come to fruition if risks weren't taken. So, he decided to gather the best and brightest builders, architects, and workers to embark on the challenge of
building a bridge across the Golden Gate Strait. With safety nets in place, the construction began in 1937. Building the anchorages first, the
builders then move on to the towers on each end, and then to the three-foot thick cables to support the suspension bridge. Lastly, workers labored to complete the roadway which became
the most dangerous and treacherous part of the entire task. The builders had to keep the bridge
balance, so it wouldn't fall into the bay.
Today, over sixty-five years later, the bridge remains a life-line for the people of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Question 1 of 5
Why was the roadway so dangerous to build?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The roadway was so dangerous to build because if it wasn't balanced correctly, it would collapse. The text mentions that the builders had to keep the bridge balanced to prevent it from falling into the bay. This highlights the critical importance of ensuring the structural integrity and balance of the roadway to maintain the stability of the entire bridge. Therefore, any imbalance in the construction of the roadway could lead to a catastrophic failure of the bridge, making option D the correct answer.
Extract:
The Rainforest
The Amazon River Basin is home to the largest rainforest on Earth. The basin -- roughly the size of the forty-eight contiguous United States -- covers some 40% of the South American continent, and portions of eight countries. The basin is drained by the Amazon River, the world's largest river in terms of discharge, and the second longest river in the world after the Nile.
Since 1970, over 600,000 square kilometers (232,000 square miles) of Amazon rainforest have been destroyed. This deforestation is mainly due to land clearing for pastureland by commercial and speculative interests, misguided government policies, and commercial exploitation of forest resources.
Deforestation of the rainforest has long-term implications. The loss of habitat for many creatures ensures their extinction. The loss of vegetation depletes the oxygen in the atmosphere, which some say causes global warming.
Question 2 of 5
What is the definition of 'habitat' as used in the last paragraph?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In the context of the passage, 'habitat' refers to the natural environment where various species live and thrive. This aligns with the explanation in the last paragraph regarding the loss of habitat due to deforestation, which threatens the survival of many creatures. The other options do not accurately reflect the meaning of 'habitat.'
Extract:
Linking San Francisco to Marin County in California, the Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most famous bridges in the world. The bridge crosses over a narrow strait which connects the Pacific Ocean to San Francisco Bay. Prior to the bridge, people traveled by ferry boat across the strait.
Although most people thought a bridge was necessary to expedite travel, some residents of the
bay area felt the risk of building the bridge was too great. Joseph Strauss believed that nothing was impossible, and dreams would never come to fruition if risks weren't taken. So, he decided to gather the best and brightest builders, architects, and workers to embark on the challenge of
building a bridge across the Golden Gate Strait. With safety nets in place, the construction began in 1937. Building the anchorages first, the
builders then move on to the towers on each end, and then to the three-foot thick cables to support the suspension bridge. Lastly, workers labored to complete the roadway which became
the most dangerous and treacherous part of the entire task. The builders had to keep the bridge
balance, so it wouldn't fall into the bay.
Today, over sixty-five years later, the bridge remains a life-line for the people of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Question 3 of 5
In the passage the word embark means to:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In the context provided in the passage, the word 'embark' is used to describe the action taken by Joseph Strauss to start on the challenge of building a bridge across the Golden Gate Strait. 'Embark' in this context means to undertake or start an important or challenging task. Therefore, the correct answer is D: 'Being an undertaking.' This choice aligns with the idea of starting a challenging project, as seen in the passage.
Extract:
The most important factor in any highway safety program is the responsible citizen-driver: YOU. Since you are a consumer, drive a car, vote, and pay taxes, you are a power to be considered. Your voice can Influence legislation at the federal, state, and local government levels. You can insist on better roads and safer cars by being a consumer advocate.
Your attitude about driving affects your making safe driving decisions while on the road. Your immediate concern, however, should be to drive safely in a property Inspected car, wear a safety belt, and never mix liquor with driving.
Question 4 of 5
What appears to be the author's motive for writing the paragraph?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The paragraph emphasizes personal responsibility and involvement in highway safety, urging the reader to be an active participant in advocating for better roads and safer cars. This aligns with choice A, as the primary focus is on engaging individuals to take action and make a difference in traffic safety through their consumer choices and civic engagement. Choices B, C, and D are not supported by the content of the paragraph, as it does not criticize car manufacturers, advocate for stricter laws, or emphasize new car technology, making them incorrect answers.
Extract:
The Water Cycle
Water is needed to sustain practically all life functions on planet Earth. A single drop of this compound is composed of an oxygen atom that shares its electrons with each of the two hydrogen atoms.
The cycle starts when precipitation, such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail, descends from the sky onto the ground. Water that is not absorbed immediately from the precipitation is known as runoff. The runoff flows across the land and collects in groundwater reservoirs, rivers, streams, and oceans.
Evaporation takes place when liquid water changes into water vapor, which is a gas. Water vapor returns to the air from surface water and plants.
Ultimately, condensation happens when this water vapor cools and changes back into droplets of liquid. In fact, the puffy, cotton clouds that we observe are formed by condensation. When the clouds become heavily laden with liquid droplets, precipitation ensues.
Question 5 of 5
Which of the following words is an antonym for the word 'comprised'?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The term 'comprised' means to include or contain. An antonym would be a word that signifies the opposite of including or containing. The correct answer, 'Exclude,' means to leave out or omit, which is the opposite of comprising.